Ubuntu 11.04: The Best Linux Desktop Yet, But With The Worst Timing

Ubuntu 11.04 is the most ambitious Linux desktop version ever, with what may be a ground-breaking user interface and major changes from previous versions that come together nicely.

Ubuntu 11.04 is a great example of elegance and new thinking for the desktop. This is apparent with its side-panel application launcher -- known as the Unity interface first deployed on low-performance netbooks -- the new inclusion of Libre Office rather than OpenOffice.org for office productivity, and nice integration with its Ubuntu One cloud file system.

Since we first looked at an Alpha version of Ubuntu 11.04 several months ago, developers have fixed a number of issues and glitches that had made it difficult to install and use as intended. We experienced no technical issues or bugs upon installing the production version of this OS, and it is now a very likable piece of software.

Ubuntu 11.04 Review

A new edition of Ubuntu arrives every six months, bearing a new zoological codename. The latest is version 11.04 (reflecting its April 2011 release), known to its friends as the Natty Narwhal.

You’ll notice one change before you even download the installer: the Netbook Edition has been retired, so there’s now only one ISO for all home computers. It’s a wise move; one standard installation makes life easier for beginners and developers alike.

Boot into Ubuntu 11.04 and you’ll see another change. The Gnome desktop has been replaced by the Unity interface that made its first appearance in the 10.10 Netbook Edition. You can still install Gnome, or download the Xfce-based Xubuntu distribution, but Unity is now the default.

How to Install Ubuntu 11.04 'Natty Narwhal' With Wubi

Ubuntu 11.04, or "Natty Narwhal," has been out just a few days, but already it's being billed as possibly the most accessible and user-friendly Linux distribution ever. With its new Unity interface, the open-source operating system mimics what many people are used to in the mobile arena to create a simple, intuitive way to get things done.

The stepped-up accessibility isn't the only thing that Natty Narwhal has going for it. Like most Linux distributions, the new Ubuntu offers myriad other benefits for individual and business users as well, including better security, flexibility, and reliability than what you typically find in Windows.
And of course, there's Ubuntu's unbeatable price--it's free--as well as its winning total cost of ownership.